MINUTES

MH&R BOARD of ERIE & OTTAWA COUNTIES

— June 16, 2009 —

 

Present:

Steve Lippert

Marlene Boas

Leroy Sizemore

 

Bob Kasayka

Kenny Baughman

Barbe Limpert

 

Pam McGlothlin

Margy VanLerberghe

Robert Warner

 

Kent Coleman

Jude Hammond

Eric Zgodzinski

 

Ann Duez

Bill Kimberlin

 

 

 

 

 

Office Staff:

Kirk Halliday

Beth Williams

Patty Notestine

 

Debbie Kelley

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excused:

Steven Prentice

Sue Kane

 

 

 

 

 

Absent:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guests:

Bruce Kijowski

Marty Williams

Lisa Byers

 

Dr. Carlos Lowell

Angela Wu

Mayor Jean Anderson

 

 

 

The Mental Health and Recovery Board of Erie and Ottawa Counties met on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at the Sandusky Artisans in Downtown Sandusky. Steve Lippert, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:25 p.m.

 

Introduction of Guests — The Board welcomed all in attendance.

 

Mayor Jean Anderson thanked the Board for all that they do for the residents of Vermilion. “Connectivity” is a challenge for us all and especially transportation issues. It is up to us to bring mental health to the place of need. The “Street Law” Program is something she hopes to get up and running in Vermilion this September. Mayor Anderson also expressed her desire to help with the upcoming levy.

 

Angela Wu, Director of “Street Law” in Oberlin, gave an overview of the program and how it works through education, advocacy and art.

 

Dr. Lowell, Psychiatrist currently on staff at Firelands Regional Medical Center, addressed the Board concerning serving as a board member since being approached by Dr. Halliday. At the present time he is tied up with other obligations until January. Legal advisors do not see a problem with this except for his role as internal review process at Firelands. Representing the Board as “clinical advisor” would seem to be a very good fit for the Board as well as enabling Dr. Lowell to maintain his position at FCRS.

 

Approval of Agenda — Robert Warner moved to approve the agenda as amended (adding Dr. Lowell under New Business). Bill Kimberlin seconded; motion carried unanimously.

 

Secretary’s Report

Kenny Baughman moved to approve the minutes of the May 19, 2009 board meeting as written. Pam McGlothlin seconded; motion carried unanimously.

 

 

Executive Director’s Report

Dr. Halliday reported on the following: a) Monitoring Reports – no questions asked. b) Monthly Update: Sundown Project; $250,000 from the State has been approved, and the Bank has approved our mortgage loan against the property for $118,000. The plan for the house is to use it as a group home. This will solve the security issue. It will be 24/7 staffed, and the out-of-county clients who cannot live alone will have round-the-clock assistance. Plans will be revised to proceed with the group home first. Sue Reamsnyder from VOA will assist us with certifications needed. Progress should be made within the next 30 days. NAMI has offered to help clean up the house on the property. c) Research and Feedback: 1) Erie Shore Network is currently open 10:30 a.m. till 4:00 p.m., Monday thru Thursday. Evening activities are currently on Thursdays instead of Fridays. This allows them to save money due to the current budget cuts. 2) Concerning the issue on homelessness and curfew policies, this is a much broader issue than VOA or anything our agencies do. An Erie County homeless task force is needed to put forward a plan. The city’s community relations committee would be a good starting point as well as speaking with the City Manager. Although a number of agencies would have to be part of the planning process, the city itself should be the key focus with some professional planning. This is ultimately an issue that needs to be driven by the City of Sandusky. e) Other: A sign-up sheet for the Ottawa County Fair was passed around to the Board members to sign who are able to volunteer at the booth this year.  f) Program Division Report: deferred to CQI report.

 

Recognition of Board Members:

A certificate of exemplary service was presented to Barbara Limpert from the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services for her many years of outstanding service to the Mental Health and Recovery Board. Bob Kasayka was also acknowledged for his additional year spent on the Board. Thank you Barbe and Bob for your time, commitment, and dedication to this Board, and the communities of Erie and Ottawa counties.

 

CQI Planning – AoD Committee:

Kenny Baughman moved to exit the regular board session and enter into the AoD Committee; Ann Duez seconded; motion carried.

 

FY10-11 Community Executive Summary: needs, Priorities, and Investor Targets 

Debbie Kelley presented an over-view/summary of the hand-out dispersed titled SFY 2010-11 Capacity Development Targets, including prevention services, treatment and recovery support service needs, and treatment and recovery support service investor target(s).

 

Goals/Targets:

 

To maintain and/or increase existing capacity for Recovery Support Services targeted at persons with SMD including Supported Employment Services, CPST, and Oak House, Erie Shore Network and Sandusky Artisans. Housing/Residential Services for this population are also a priority. Maintaining care treatment services for persons with SMD/SED and persons in the general population with a planned approach to waiting list management.

 

To maintain core treatment services for persons with SMD/SED and persons in the general population with a planned approach to waiting list management.

 

Programs that decrease or eliminate stigma related to emotional problems and mental illness.

 

Increase access to Housing.

 

 

Mental Health Treatment & Recovery Support Services; (met and unmet)

a)    Home-based programming – met

b)    Sustained and/or enhanced capacity for peer support/self-help and consumer-operated agencies – met, current capacity only; unmet, expansion of capacity, programming

c)    Crisis Care/Emergency Services – met

d)    Prison/jail re-entry, community integration and linkage services – unmet

e)    On-site prevention/intervention/treatment service delivery to youth – met

f)     School-based Social Workers – unmet

g)    Case management and CPST services – met

h)    Vocational/Employment and Housing Support Services for SMD adults – met, current capacity only; unmet, expansion of capacity, programming

i)      Coordination with law enforcement and judicial systems relative to referrals for service – partially met

j)      Sustained or enhanced capacity for Crisis Intervention Training for law enforcement/officers – met

k)    Collaborative procedures and funding mechanism to serve multi-system involved and youth with deep-end mental and emotional disorders and/or substance dependence – partially met, unmet – available funds and service capacity don’t meet need

l)      Timely access to diagnostic assessment and core treatment services (all populations) – met

m)  More efficient use of Housing/Residential Services and expanded capacity of local options across the level of care continuum – partially met

 

AoD Treatment Services; (met and unmet)

a)    Sustained capacity for core treatment services for youth and adults with substance abuse – met

b)    Collaborative programming with existing Court programs – met

c)    Adequate and/or local capacity for Level of Care II-IV services (i.e. detox, community residential, inpatient) – unmet

d)    On-site prevention/intervention/treatment service delivery to youth in the juvenile detention center – met

e)    Day treatment or flexible and individualized intensive outpatient for youth with substance abuse and dependence – unmet

 

Noted: School-based Social Workers are not being used in this area, but would be something for the Board to look into further.

 

A draft hand-out of the recent focus/consumer groups was made available for those interested.

 

Kenny Baughman moved to recess the AoD Committee and resume the regular board session, Eric Zgodzinski seconded, motion carried.

 

Consent Agenda

Beth Williams presented an overview of the consent agenda.

Discussion: The first line-item “regular salaries” includes salary from retiring administrative assistant. It was suggested to reduce position using one-fourth of the monies ($13,612), and re-allocate remaining dollars back into the budget for agency payments. It was noted that vacation and sick leave still need to be paid to the retiring employee.

 

In-state travel was also expressed as being excessive.

 

With legitimate issues being raised, it was agreed to approve the 3-month budget extension and note questions for the Board to address when the actual budget dollars are known.

Resolution No. 06-2009-01: Whereas: The attached Consent Agenda has been reviewed for appropriateness and compliance with Board Policies; therefore Leroy Sizemore resolved the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Erie and Ottawa Counties approve the business contained in the Consent Agenda. Bob Kasayka seconded. Roll call vote as follows: Kenny; no, Marlene; yes, Kent; yes, Ann; yes, Jude; yes, Bob; yes, Bill; yes, Barbe; yes, Pam; abstain, Leroy; yes, Margy; yes, Robert; yes, Eric; yes, and Steve; yes, resolution passed.

 

Board Concerns:

  • Concerned at the excessive amount of time clients have to wait at the ER for an assessment.
  • Turnover at the agencies is a concern.
  • Thank you Steve for your time as board chair. Next month agenda changes will be made, some are suggestions, and if you have any ideas or issues on how the meeting is run please speak to Kenny or Eric. Our goal is to have enough time to talk about priority issues.
  • Legal costs still need to be addressed.
  • The Supreme Court is looking at the Guardianship Program, we need to keep on top of that and look at our program also.
  • Local festivals would be a good way to get the word out for our levy campaign.
  • Levy talking points are needed for board members.
  • Plant ideas now to groups and organizations to schedule a presentation on what it is we do here at the MH&R Board.

 

Old Business:

Comments from this year’s board training;

    • marvelous
    • speakers were excellent
    • educational and inspirational
    • great facility – would appreciate tables next time

 

New Business:

Communications from the Board Chair

a)    Vice Chair election;

The Chair entertained a motion to elect Eric Zgodzinski as incoming Vice Chair commencing July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. Kenny Baughman moved to accept Eric Zgodzinski as Vice Chair, seconded by Bill Kimberlin, motion carried unanimously.

 

b)    Executive Director Evaluation Process, in order to add personal goals to the evaluation the policy would need to be changed. A yearly evaluation was agreed upon.

 

c)    Replacement Levy: requesting the Erie County Auditor to certify to the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Erie and Ottawa Counties, Ohio, the total current tax valuation of the Joint Service District and the dollar amount of revenue that would be generated by a replacement of a three tenth (.3) mill tax levy for purposes of providing current operating expenses…Resolution No. 06-2009-02, introduced by Leroy E. Sizemore, seconded by Robert R. Warner, the vote resulted as follows:

Number Supporting Resolution 14

Number Not Supporting Resolution -0-

100% of all Board members concurred; the Resolution was adopted the 16th day of June, 2009.

Signed by Stephen N. Lippert, chair and Patricia J. Notestine, Secretary

 

d)    Other: It was mentioned having Dr. Lowell represented as an AoD committee member in a non-board member capacity. To be determined at a later date.

 

Commentary — none

 

Adjournment — Ann Duez moved the meeting adjourn.

 

Summary of Decisions Made and Action taken

 

1.    Agenda approved as amended.

2.    May 19, 2009 board minutes approved as written.

3.    Kenny Baughman moved to exit the regular board session and enter into the AoD Committee; Ann Duez seconded; motion carried.

4.    Kenny Baughman moved to recess the AoD Committee and resume the regular board session, Eric Zgodzinski seconded, motion carried.

5.    Resolution 06-2009-01 – carried.

6.    Motion to elect Eric Zgodzinski as vice chair, approved unanimously.

7.    Resolution 06-2009-02, Replacement Levy to the Erie County Auditor, supported unanimously.

 

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted;

 

 

____________________________________